Friday, October 29, 2010

U.S. Investigates Terrorist Attack: Updated

U.S. Investigates Terrorist  Attack - Department of Homeland Security Kicks Aviation Security up a Notch
Friday, October 29, 2010
.
Good Friday afternoon everyone... I see that the men and women in charge of our Homeland security are still on their toes. That must mean President Obama and the Dems haven’t gone and screwed everything up... Yet!!!
.
Here’s what we got so far on this possible threat...
.
Authorities in Dubai intercepted an explosive device bound for a Chicago-area Jewish institution aboard a cargo jet, officials disclosed Friday, triggering a worldwide alert and fears that al-Qaida was attempting to carry out fresh terror attack... A second package - like the first, shipped from Yemen - was discovered aboard a plane in England. It, too, was addressed to a Jewish organization in the Chicago area, although there was no immediate confirmation about its contents... Several other cargo planes at airports along the Eastern Seaboard of the United States also were searched, and officials said no explosives were found. An Emirates Airlines passenger jet carrying cargo from Yemen was escorted from the Canadian border to New York City by two military fighter jets, U.S. officials said. They said it was a precautionary action... President Barack Obama arranged to make a statement about the developments at the White House. Aides said he had been informed about a "potential terrorist threat."...
Read the rest of this AP report at link below...
.
*********************************
.
The White House
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
October 29, 2010
Statement of White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs
Last night, intelligence and law enforcement agencies discovered potential suspicious packages on two planes in transit to the United States. Based on close cooperation among U.S. government agencies and with our foreign allies and partners, authorities were able to identify and examine two suspicious packages, one in East Midlands, United Kingdom, and one in Dubai. Both of these packages originated from Yemen. As a result of security precautions triggered by this threat, the additional measures were taken regarding the flights at Newark Liberty and Philadelphia International Airports.
.
The President was notified of a potential terrorist threat on Thursday night at 10:35, by John Brennan, Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counter-terrorism. The President directed U.S. intelligence and law enforcement agencies, and the Department of Homeland Security, to take steps to ensure the safety and security of the American people, and to determine whether these threats are a part of any additional terrorist plotting. The President has received regular updates from his national security team since he was alerted to the threat.
......................................................
Official TSA Statement on Suspicious Items Onboard Cargo Flights
"The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is aware of and monitoring reports of potentially suspicious items onboard cargo flights that landed safely at Newark Liberty and Philadelphia International airports. Out of an abundance of caution the planes were moved to a remote location where they are being met by law enforcement officials and swept.”
...........................................
DHS Statement on Increased Security Precautions
Release Date: October 29, 2010
For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
"As a precaution, DHS has taken a number of steps to enhance security. Some of these security measures will be visible while others will not. The public may recognize specific enhancements including heightened cargo screening and additional security at airports. Passengers should continue to expect an unpredictable mix of security layers that include explosives trace detection, advanced imaging technology, canine teams and pat downs, among others. As always, we remind the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity to local law enforcement."
.
..............................
.
More updates to come...
AubreyJ.........

No comments: